engine overheat BUICK ENCORE GX 2024 User Guide

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
226 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to
maintain the correct working temperature.
1.2L L3 Engine (LIH)
1.3L L3 Engine (L3T)
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for five
years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, see Engine Overheating 0229.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 227
Warning (Continued)
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an authorized
service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
It is normal to see coolant moving in the
upper coolant hose return line when the
engine is running.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the mark pointed to, add a
50/50 mixture of clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool before
this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
228 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.If no problem is found, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at the indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant surge tank,
but be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one-quarter of a
turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with theproper mixture to the indicated
level mark.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the indicated
level mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 229
6. Verify coolant level after the engine isshut off and the coolant is cold.
If necessary, repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the proper
level when the system cools down again,
see your dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill Instruction
If equipped, this feature assists in filling and
removing air from the cooling system after
service of components or when coolant is
added after being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal process:
1. With a cold system, open the surge tank cap and add coolant to the indicated
mark on the surge tank.
2. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
3. Turn the ignition to Service Mode. See Ignition Positions 0162.
4. Turn off the air conditioning. 5. Set the parking brake.
6. At the same time, press the accelerator
and the brake for two seconds, then
release.
At the end of the cycle, check the coolant
level in the surge tank and add coolant if it
is low. Turn off the vehicle, allow the Engine
Control Module (ECM) to go to sleep, about
two minutes, and repeat Steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and movement of
the control valves while watching the level
of the coolant in the surge tank. If the tank
empties, turn the ignition off, carefully
remove the surge tank cap, refill to the
indicated mark, and repeat Steps 4-7. The fill
and air removal process will run for
approximately 10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge to warn of the engine
overheating. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 099.
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, get service help
right away. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 301. If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fan
is running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
(Continued)

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
230 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed
but no steam can be seen or heard, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
.Stops after high-speed driving
If the overheat warning is displayed with no
sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan
speed. Open the windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral), and
let the engine idle. If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone, the vehicle
can be driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in front.
If the warning does not come back on,
continue to drive normally and have the
cooling system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and
park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine
for three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still displayed, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When the vehicle needs windshield washer
fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer's
instructions before use. If operating the
vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0218 for
reservoir location.
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid that contains
any type of water repellent coating.
This can cause the wiper blades to
chatter or skip, and may also clog the
washer nozzle.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze)
in the windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield washer system
and paint.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use
washer fluid. Water can cause the
solution to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other parts of
the washer system.
(Continued)

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Vehicle Care 253
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used
on passenger cars and some light duty
trucks and multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inflation Pressure
:
Vehicle manufacturer's recommended
tire inflation pressure as shown on the
tire placard. See Tire Pressure0253 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0159.
Radial Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in
which the ply cords that extend to the
beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim
:A metal support for a tire and
upon which the tire beads are seated.
Sidewall
:The portion of a tire between
the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating
:An alphanumeric code
assigned to a tire indicating the
maximum speed at which a tire can
operate.
Traction
:The friction between the tire
and the road surface. The amount of
grip provided.
Tread
:The portion of a tire that comes
into contact with the road. Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow bands,
sometimes called wear bars, that show
across the tread of a tire when only
1.6 mm (1/16 in) of tread remains. See
When It Is Time for New Tires 0260.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards)
:A tire information system
that provides consumers with ratings
for a tire's traction, temperature, and
treadwear. Ratings are determined by
tire manufacturers using government
testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire.
See Uniform Tire Quality Grading 0262.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The number
of designated seating positions
multiplied by 68 kg (150 lbs) plus the
rated cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0159.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire
:
Load on an individual tire due to curb
weight, accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight. Vehicle Placard
:A label permanently
attached to a vehicle showing the
vehicle's capacity weight and the
original equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure. See
“Tire and Loading Information Label”
under Vehicle Load Limits 0159.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air
pressure to operate effectively.
{Warning
Neither tire underinflation nor
overinflation is good. Underinflated
tires, or tires that do not have
enough air, can result in:
.Tire overloading and overheating,
which could lead to a blowout
.Premature or irregular wear
.Poor handling
.Reduced fuel economy for
internal combustion engine
vehicles
(Continued)

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Index 321
Data CollectionInfotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Disabled Vehicle Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171, 234
Driver Assistance Systems, Advanced . . . . . . . . . 187
Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Teen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 205
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Driving the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . 146
E
ElectricBrake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electrical System Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 243 Electrical System (cont'd)
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 247
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 102
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Coolant Temperature WarningLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Buick Encore GX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16897608) - 2024 - CRC - 1/23/23
Index 325
OnStar (cont'd)Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
OnStar Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
OnStar Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
P
ParkAssist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 190
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Parking Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Parking Assist Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Parking or Backing Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Perchlorate Materials Requirements,
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Phone Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . 135
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131, 132
Port
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Proposition 65 Warning California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . 270
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 306
R
Radiator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Radio
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Frequency Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Rear Compartment/Storage Panel
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . 290
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Reimbursement Program, GM
Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Remote Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10